Gate lift for elevator shafts



June 26, 1928.

J. STORMO GATE LIFT FOR ELEVATOR sHAFTs Filed sept. 29, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l annu/tto@ June 26, 1928. 1,674,930

J. sToRMO GATE LIFT FOR ELEVATOR SHAFTS Filed sept. 29, 1926 2 Sheets-sheet 2 u w n lo nvm/Moz @RWM @oom Patented .lune 26, 1928.

stares JOHN STORMO, E INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA.

GATE LIFT FOR ELEVATR SHAFTS.

Application filed September 29, 1926. Serial No. 138,426.

This invention relates to a device for automatically lifting the gate to an elevator shaft whenever the elevato-r is at thelanding, and for permitting the gate to drop as soon as Vthe elevator starts to leave the saine.

The objects oi the invention are to provide a device of Vthis kind, which is simple in construction and not likely to get out of repair, which may be easily and economically manufactured, and which ymay be easily installed in connection ywith any type of elevator, having either a vertically sliding or swinging gate. In accordance with the invention,`the gate is operated by fluid pressure, controlled by a valve which is actuated by the elevator as it passes up or down. j

The specific construction of the invention and the principles embodied therein will be more particularly described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the same in its preferred form. Y

In the. drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the gate operating mechanism, andthe means for admitting compressed air or other fluid thereto.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the gate in closed position, the adjacent portion of the 30 shaft being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the gate open.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1 -t of Figure 1.

The invention is shown in connection with a gate 5,having its ends secured by brackets to vertical pipes 7 which constitute air chambers. Each pipe 7 has its upper end closed by a cap 8, and has a bonnet 9 secured to its lower end and provided with a central bore for slidably receiving the tube 10. The connection between the bonnet 9 and the tube 10 is rendered substantially air tight by a packing gland 11. The tube 10 is stationary, while the pipe or air chamber 7 is vertically slidable thereon, the upward movement of the pipe being limited by ahead 12, which is secured to thel upper end of the tube. A coil spring 13 surrounds the tube 10, inside the bonnet 9, and constitutes ay buffer to prevent pounding as the gate reaches its uppermost position.

The lower end of the tube 10 is secured to a valve boX 111, formed with a chamber 15 through which compressed air may be admitted to the tube 10 from a 'conduit 16 connected with a suitable compressor. The passageway through the chamber 15 is controlled by a slide valve, 17 which isl reciprocably mounted in branches 18, extending transversely in opposite directions from 'the chamber 15. The box 11i is secured to the elevator shaft adjacent the landing, by suitable clips or brackets y19. One of the branches 18 is formed with a socket 20,

which is closed by a cap 21, and encloses an eXpansile coil spring 22. This coil spring surrounds the valve 17, which project-s through thecap 21, and has a collar 23 secured thereto and forming a seat against which the spring 22 bears.

The spring 22 normally holds the valve 17 in the position shownin Figure 1, vand the valvehas a groove 24 extending for a por-v tion of its length, and affording a vent'for the escape of the compressed air fr'omgthe chamber 7 through the tube 10 to the atmosphere, when the valve'17 is heldin normal position. The valve 17 also has atransverse opening 25, andy when the valve is retracted aga-inst the pressure of the spring 22, the communication between the tube 10 and the atmosphere is cut otf, and the open'- ing 25 moves into alinement therewith, and admits compressed air from the conduit 16 to the tube 10 and the chamber 7. This movement'of the valves 17 is eiected by blocks 26 secured to the corners ofthe elevator 27, each block being formed with oprpositely inclined surfaces 28, which are en-r gageable with the adjacent end of the valve 17 as the elevator moves up or down.

Thus, it will be seen that whenever the elevator approaches a landing, the block 26 will engage the end of the valve 17 to force the latter inwardly against the pressure of the spring 22, bringing the opening' 25 into alinement. with the conduit 16 and the tube 10. There is a chamber 7 secured to each end of the gate and the compressed air will be admitted to each of these chambers, forcing the latter upwardly to lift the gate. Since both chambers are connected with the same source of air pressure, both ends of the gate will be raised equally. As soon as the elevator leaves the landing, the valves17 will be returned to their normal position by the springs 22, permitting the air to escape from the respective cylinders 7 to the atmosphere,

and permitting the air to escape from the respective cylinders 7 to the atmosphere, and permitting the gate to drop.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provideda device, which is operated directly by the movement of the elevator, without any attention on the part of the operator. It is safe and reliable in its operation and is not likely to get out of order. While I have shown and described in detail, however, one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is apparent that various modiiications may be made in the details thereof without any material departure from the salient. features of the invention as set Jforth in the claims.

What is claimed is: Y

1. The combination with an elevator gate,

, of a plurality of air chambers connected to the gate and movable upwardly to open the same, a compressed air conducting tube extending upwardly through the bottom o each chamber for admitting compressed air thereto, a valve box interposed in said tube, a slide valve disposed transversely of said box, said valve having a channel formed in one surface to afford communication between the upper portionof said passageway and the atmosphere when the valve is 1n one extreme position and having a transverse opening which connects the upper and lower portions of the said tube when the valve is in the other extreme position, a spring normally holding the valve in the first-mentioned extreme position, and a block adapted to be attached to the elevator and having a cam face in a position to engage the end oitV the valve and move it to thel other extreme position when the elevator arrives at a position opposite the gate.

2. The combination with an elevator gate, of a plurality` of vertical pipes closed at the ends-and formingv air chambers, vsaid pipes being connected to the gate and movable upwardly to open the same, a tube extending upwardly through the bottom of each pipe Vfor admitting compressed air thereto, means operable tov admit compressed air through the tubes to the pipes to raise the gate when the elevator'is opposite the same and to `vent the air to the atmosphere and permit the gate to drop when the elevator moves to a dilerent level, a head secured to the upper end of each tube to limit the upward movement of the pipes and gate, and a spring actingas a buffer between the head and lower end of lthe pipe.;

3. The combination with an elevator gate, of a plurality of vertical pipes closed at the ends and forming air chambers, said pipes being connected to the gate and movable upwardly to open the same, a tube kextending upwardly through the bottom of each pipe, a valve box connecting each tube to a source of compressed air, a slide valve dis,- posed transversely of said box, said valve having a -portion cut away to afford communication Vbetween the corresponding air chamberandthe atmospherecwhen the valve is in one extreme position and having a transverse opening to admit compressed air through the tube to the air chamber when the yvalve .is in the other extreme position,.,a

spring normally` holding the valve in the kfirst-mentioned extreme position, a block adapted to be attached to the elevator in position to engage the end of the valve and move it to the other extreme position when the elevator approaches a position opposite the gate, thereby admitting compressed air to the air chambers to raise the same and the gate, a head secured tothe upper end of each tube to limit the upward movement of the air chambers and gate, and a' spring acting as a buffer between the head and the lower end of the air chamber.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I havehereto alixed my signa- 

